After three weeks of maintenance work, all traffic can now use the Karuma Bridge. The bridge connects northern Uganda with the rest of the country. During the closure that began March 24, workers installed four expansion joints on the bridge deck.
Travelers had to take longer routes through Murchison Falls National Park, eastern Uganda, or Masindi Port. Transport ministry spokesperson Allan Ssempebwa said the bridge received new reflective plates and street lights as part of the upgrades.
The ministry explained that expansion joints help bridges adjust to temperature changes and heavy traffic. Some minor work continues but will not affect drivers. These tasks include adding guardrails, more lighting, and painting structural components under the bridge.
The bridge closed in September when engineers found major structural problems. It reopened on December 20 after a three-month repair effort that replaced the bridge deck and bearings. The Japanese government agreed to fund a new Karuma Bridge through JICA that will cost about 121 billion Ugandan shillings and take five years to build.
Travelers had to take longer routes through Murchison Falls National Park, eastern Uganda, or Masindi Port. Transport ministry spokesperson Allan Ssempebwa said the bridge received new reflective plates and street lights as part of the upgrades.
The ministry explained that expansion joints help bridges adjust to temperature changes and heavy traffic. Some minor work continues but will not affect drivers. These tasks include adding guardrails, more lighting, and painting structural components under the bridge.
The bridge closed in September when engineers found major structural problems. It reopened on December 20 after a three-month repair effort that replaced the bridge deck and bearings. The Japanese government agreed to fund a new Karuma Bridge through JICA that will cost about 121 billion Ugandan shillings and take five years to build.
